Government will come out with a viable business model to promote golf tourism in the country, a top tourism ministry official said today.
"We will come out with a viable business model for promoting golf tourism in the country after discussing with all stakeholders," Tourism Additional Secretary Girish Shankar said during Golf Tourism Conference here.
There are about 200 golf courses in the country including some of the world's best.
Shankar said as per latest trends, there has been a surge in the interest level among youth in the game the world over.
"In order to tap this growing interest in golf tourism, it is crucial that steps be undertaken to develop and promote golf tourism under an institutional framework," he added.
Shankar said the ministry aims to create a comprehensive and coordinated framework for promoting golf tourism in India, capitalising on the work already carried out and building upon the strength of the nation's position as the fastest growing free market economy.
Noting that India has not been able to utilise its full potential in niche sectors like Golf, Polo and Adventure Sports, Shankar said there has been a growing interest among the domestic and international tourists to experience golf tourism in destinations outside their country of origin.
With global tourists expected to grow in the next few years, it is important that India has the right product to meet the requirements of the visitors, he said.
Tourism Ministry has recently revised guidelines to promote golf tourism and now a golf event can avail upto Rs 5 lakh grant from the ministry.
Quoting an independent study, he said, 52 per cent of travelling golfers are likely to take two or more golfing holidays in a year and they spend on an average, 33 per cent more on their holidays as compared to regular holiday makers.
